Virtual Everest 2020: Trapped at the South Col
The entire virtual team made it to the South Col, but winds from the cyclone unexpectedly hit them. About 100 people were in their tents, trying to survive the Death Zone.
Virtual Everest 2020: Crossing the Yellow Band and Video Interview with Mike Hamill of CTSS
After a windy night at C3, the fictional team moved to the South Col, crossing the Yellow Band and up the Geneva Spur. The winds had calmed but then a surprise. Also, a real-world video interview with Mike Hamill of the guide company, climbing the Seven Summits.
Virtual Everest 2020: A Stormy Lhotse Face
Our 2020 Virtual Everest team, on a tiny weather window, is on their summit push. They made it to Camp 3 on the Lhotse Face in horrible conditions. High winds, numbing winds made them work for it.
Virtual Everest 2020: Weather Decisions and Video Interview with Simon Lowe of Jagged Globe
The fictional Everest team, now at C2 on their summit push, received an updated weather report on Cyclone Amphan. Guide and Dawa gave the team the news over dinner. Also, a real-world interview I did with Jagged Globe’s Managing Director, Simon Lowe on Monday, May 18. We discuss the Everest closure, the Pandemic, and the 1996 Everest tragedy.
Virtual Everest 2020: Summit Push and Special Video Interview with Michael Fagin of Everest Weather
The fictional team is at C2 on their summit push but an updated weather forecast has Guide thinking he made the wrong decision. Plus a video interview with Michael Fagin of Everest Weather about real-world conditions including a developing cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
Virtual Everest 2020: Weekend Video Update May 17 – Ryan Waters Interview
May 17, 2020: Virtual Everest 2020 Weekend Update Video interview Mountain Professional’s Ryan Waters. We talk Everest plus polar exploration.
Virtual Everest 2020: Summit Plan
When the time comes to leave base camp for the summit push, emotions become explosive and scattered. Our fictional team gets ready to leave.
Virtual Everest 2020: View from Pumori and Doubts
Pumori is often used for active rest days as it’s a short hike from Everest Base Camp but you can easily reach 18,200-feet. The views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse plus the Icefall and Base Camp are stunning.
Virtual Everest 2020: Personality Clash
Some people make massive sacrifices to climb Everest. When things don’t go the way they think it should, they become demanding, and occasionally, a bit hard to manage as our fictional members are finding out.
Virtual Everest 2020: Special Video Interview with Tendi Sherpa
Today I interviewed Tendi Sherpa who has 13 Everest summits. He founded the guide company TAGNepal, cofounded the gear company Himali, and is the sirdar for the guide org Climbing the Seven Summits. He lives in Kathmandu with his wife and daughter.